'RuPaul's Drag Race' returns for season 5 with 14 new contestants

RuPaul and Logo today announced the names of the 14 lucky contestants who will vie for a $100,000 cash prize, the crown and the coveted title of America's Next Drag Superstar on “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” The show returns to Logo for a fifth season in January 2013.

“As we start our fifth season, I'm thrilled to announce that Britney Spears, Demi Lovato, Mariah Carey, Nikki Minaj and Keith Urban will not be joining us as full time judges,” said Executive Producer (and celebrity judge) RuPaul. “Don't get me wrong. I love them all. But we're gonna keep it all hood up in here. Because that's what makes ‘RuPaul's Drag Race’ the best damn show on TV.”

The following are the 14 season five contestants. Follow them on Twitter as you wish.

Alaska

Pittsburgh, PA

@Alaska5000

Alyssa Edwards

Mesquite, TX

@Alyssaedwards_1

Coco Montrese

Las Vegas, NV

@cocomontrese

Detox

Los Angeles, CA

@TheOnlyDetox

Honey Mahogany

San Francisco, CA

@honeymahogany

Ivy Winters

New York, NY

@Ivy_Winters

Jade Jolie

Gainesville, FL

@QueenJadeJolie

Jinkx Monsoon

Seattle, WA

@JinkxMonsoon

Lineysha Sparx

San Juan, Puerto Rico

@LineyshaSparx

Monica Beverly Hillz

Owensboro, KY

@MonicaBHillz

Penny Tration

Cincinnati, OH

@pennytration

Roxxxy Andrews

Orlando, FL

@RoxxxyAndrews

Serena ChaCha

Tallahassee, FL

@SerenaChaCha

Vivienne Pinay

New York, NY

@viviennepinay

RuPaul is back for a fifth season alongside judges Michelle Visage and Santino Rice, to decide who will “shante! stay!” or “sashay away” with a new batch of glamorous drag queens. In the end, only one contestant will have what it takes to win the title and a prize package that includes a supply of Colorevolution cosmetics, a one-of-a-kind trip courtesy of AlandChuck.travel and a headlining spot on Logo's Drag Race Tour featuring Absolut vodka and a cash prize of $100,000.

Liane Bonin Starr is an author, screenwriter and former writer for EW.com. Her byline has appeared in the Los Angeles Times, Variety and a lot of other places. Her last book was called "a scandalously catty, guilty pleasure" by Jane magazine. Expect the same from Starr Raving.